Joyce DuVall

Green Valley High School

Henderson, Nevada
Dividing Rational Expressions
The objective is to be able to divide
rational expressions.

c c  6

c  5 c  5
 Step 1
Multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor

c c  6 c c5
 
c  5 c  5 c5 c6
 Step 2
Factor the rational expressions if possible.

c c5 In this example, neither of

 the rational expressions can

c5 c6 be factored any further.

 Step 3
Divide out the common factors.

c c5

c5 c6
c 5 c
Rewrite the
expression as 
c 5 c 6
 Step 4
Write the expression in simplified form.

c  5 c

c  5 c  6
c c
1 
c 6 c 6
 2 3
9x 27x
1.  A
10 25
3x  15 x  5 A
2. 
6x 2x
2
x  8x  15
3.
x 2
 5x
 (3x  9 ) A